Abstract
This study examined the predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a clinical sample of 875 immigrant survivors
of political violence resettled in the United States, with a specific aim of comparing the relative predictive power of pre-migration
and post-migration experiences. Results from a hierarchical OLS regression indicated that pre-migration experiences such as
rape/sexual assault were significantly associated with worse PTSD outcomes, as were post-migration factors such as measures
of financial and legal insecurity. Post-migration variables, which included immigration status in the US, explained significantly
more variance in PTSD outcomes than premigration variables alone. Discussion focused on the importance of looking at postmigration
living conditions when treating trauma in this population.
of political violence resettled in the United States, with a specific aim of comparing the relative predictive power of pre-migration
and post-migration experiences. Results from a hierarchical OLS regression indicated that pre-migration experiences such as
rape/sexual assault were significantly associated with worse PTSD outcomes, as were post-migration factors such as measures
of financial and legal insecurity. Post-migration variables, which included immigration status in the US, explained significantly
more variance in PTSD outcomes than premigration variables alone. Discussion focused on the importance of looking at postmigration
living conditions when treating trauma in this population.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9696-1
- Authors
- Tracy Chu, Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA
- Allen S. Keller, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture, New York, NY, USA
- Andrew Rasmussen, Fordham University, New York, NY, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912